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Cycle the Well Field

Check out the Portland area's alternative water supply in a guided bicycle tour.

A free bicycle tour is being offered at Columbia's South Shore Well Field on Saturday, June 9. The ride is sponsored by the Portland Water Bureau and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, who will have experts to explain how groundwater provides flexibility and reliability to the city's water supply, and what folks can do to protect this resource.

The well field is capable of producing 100 million gallons of drinking water per day, and is used as an emergency backup for the Bull Run Reservoir water supply. It's also used to supplement the area's

water supply during the summer when demand is higher.

Bikers will begin at Aloft, near Portland International Airport at Cascade Station, and ride about 16 miles over fairly flat terrain. The ride is suitable for advanced, beginner and intermediate riders, and ages 12 and up are welcome. The event is rain or shine, and those attending should bring their bike, helmet (required), lunch and a water bottle. It will kick off at 8:45 a.m. and end around 1:30 p.m.